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Non‐fat–phobic anorexia nervosa in British South Asian adolescents
Author(s) -
Tareen Amina,
Hodes Matthew,
Rangel Luiza
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
international journal of eating disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.785
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1098-108X
pISSN - 0276-3478
DOI - 10.1002/eat.20080
Subject(s) - anorexia nervosa , weight loss , psychology , psychiatry , appetite , anorexia , pediatrics , clinical psychology , eating disorders , medicine , obesity
Objective The current study investigated the clinical features of British South Asian adolescent females presenting with low weight in the absence of organic disease. Methods The authors performed a retrospective case note study of South Asian British female adolescents presenting with weight loss/anorexia nervosa to psychiatric clinics and matched White English peers presenting with low weight. Results South Asian patients presented more frequently with loss of appetite ( p = .01) and less frequently with fat phobia ( p = .032) and weight preoccupation ( p = .001). South Asians also had significantly more satisfactory relationships with their nuclear family and peers ( p = .03). Discussion Differing symptom profiles for anorexia nervosa need to be taken into account when assessing patients from different cultures. South Asian adolescents may present with a non–fat‐phobic form of anorexia nervosa. This has clinical and epidemiologic implications. Further investigation is warranted to assess the nosologic status of this group. © 2005 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.